Administrative Services

Student Absence Policy Clarification

Students are expected to attend all classes in which
they are enrolled. Each faculty member determines his or her own policy
dealing with class attendance. Therefore, if a student misses
a class or classes, the student is expected to discuss the matter
with the instructor, and it is up to the discretion of the instructor
whether to allow a student to make up any missed assignments,
exams, or projects.

If a student knows he or she is going to miss a
class, the student is advised and is expected to discuss the situation
with the appropriate faculty member in advance and in accordance
with that faculty member's guidelines for class attendance.
If documentation of the reason or reasons for an absence is desired
by the faculty member, the student should inquire of the faculty
member what would suffice for that purpose (e.g., medical documentation,
proof of court appearance, etc.).

If a student needs medical documentation, he or
she should contact the proper medical source directly for whatever
material is needed. Neither the Office of Student Development
and Orientation nor the Beu Health Center issue excuses for not
attending class, but a student may obtain a form indicating the
date and time of a completed medical appointment at the Health
Center, for example, should a faculty member desire or require
such evidence.

If a student makes a decision not to attend a class
because of a non-emergency illness or injury (e.g., sore throat,
cold, sprained ankle, etc.), it is the responsibility of the student
to discuss the absence with the faculty member should the student
desire to make up any academic work missed because of the absence.
Depending upon such factors as the faculty member's class
attendance policy, the reasons for the absence, and the student's
prior record of class attendance, the faculty member may or may
not grant the request to make up work that has been missed. It
is emphasized that it is the individual faculty member's
decision whether or not to grant the request.

The Office of Student Development and Orientation
will serve as a contact resource for a student in extreme/emergency
cases when the student is unable to make contact with a faculty
member. Accidents/hospitalizations that occur out of town, death
of an immediate family member (mother, father, sister, brother),
serious emotional/psychological problems, serious physical injuries
or trauma, and medically prescribed inpatient treatment for substance
abuse are examples of situations where the Office of Student Development
and Orientation might appropriately be contacted and called upon
for assistance.

If the president issues a "University Advisory"
because of an emergency condition (such as inclement weather)
and classes are not canceled, students should arrange with faculty
to complete academic course requirements missed during the time
of the advisory. If classes only are canceled, faculty members
will inform students at a later time how missed course activities
will be satisfied. Individual faculty members are responsible
for their academic course requirements and it is the individual
faculty member's decision whether or not to grant a request
to make up work that has been missed as a result of a "University
Advisory".